
Indian Navy’s Tri-Commissioning Event (January 15, 2025)
Overview
- Indian Navy inducted three frontline combatants:
- INS Nilgiri: Lead ship of the Project 17A class frigates.
- INS Surat: Fourth and final ship of the Project 15B class destroyers.
- INS Vagsheer: Sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class Project 75.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the commissioning ceremony at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, marking the first-ever tri-commissioning of a destroyer, frigate, and submarine.
- Over the last decade, 33 ships and 7 submarines were added to the Navy, with 39 out of 40 vessels built in Indian shipyards.
Key Features of the Ceremony
- The vessels were constructed entirely at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.
- Extensive trials included:
- Machinery and hull tests.
- Fire-fighting and damage control assessments.
- Verification of navigation and communication systems.
- Delivery Timeline:
- INS Nilgiri and INS Surat: Delivered on December 20, 2024.
- INS Vagsheer: Delivered on January 9, 2025.
INS Nilgiri: Project 17A Frigate
- A major upgrade over the Shivalik-class frigates with:
- Improved stealth features: Sloped superstructure, flush deck, infrared suppression system, and acoustic quietening.
- Modular integrated construction methodology.
- Specifications:
- Length: 149 meters; Displacement: 6,700 tons.
- Propulsion: CODAG system with GE LM2500 gas turbines.
- Weapons and Sensors:
- 76mm SRGM (OTO Melara Strales) with DART ammunition.
- BrahMos cruise missiles, Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, and L&T torpedo launchers.
- Primary radar: MF-STAR by IAI, made by BEL.
- Future Orders:
- Project 17A: Comprises 7 ships (split 4:3 between MDL and GRSE).
- Project 17B: Planned for 8 ships at an estimated cost of $7.5 billion.
INS Surat: Project 15B Destroyer
- Final ship of the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, with:
- Indigenous content of 75%.
- Advanced network-centric capabilities.
- Specifications:
- Length: 163 meters; Width: 17 meters; Displacement: 7,400 tons.
- Speed: Maximum of 30 knots.
- Weapons and Sensors:
- BrahMos cruise missiles, Barak-8 missiles, and AK-630M CIWS.
- Radar: MF-STAR.
- Future Developments:
- No destroyers under construction.
- Planning for Next Generation Destroyers (Project 18).
INS Vagsheer: Scorpene-Class Submarine
- Part of Project 75 and among the most silent diesel-electric submarines globally.
- Roles:
- Anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.
- Intelligence gathering and special operations.
- Weapons and Features:
- Wire-guided torpedoes, Exocet anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems.
- Modular construction allows for future upgrades, including Air Independent Propulsion (AIP).
- Future Projects:
- Plans for Project 75I and Project 76.
- Contract signed to equip lead submarine INS Kalvari with an AIP plug by DRDO and L&T.
Additional Facts and Definitions
- CODAG (Combined Diesel and Gas): A propulsion system combining diesel engines for cruising and gas turbines for higher speeds.
- Scorpene-Class Submarines: Known for their stealth and versatility; part of India’s effort to modernize its submarine fleet.
- MF-STAR Radar: A multifunction surveillance and threat alert radar developed by IAI, offering superior detection and tracking.
- BrahMos Missile: A supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia, capable of precision strikes.
- AIP Technology: Enhances the endurance of conventional submarines by allowing them to remain submerged for longer periods without surfacing to recharge batteries.
- Barak-8 Missiles: Surface-to-air missiles designed to counter a variety of airborne threats.
This comprehensive induction marks a significant step in bolstering the Indian Navy’s combat readiness and indigenous defense capabilities.